Our hero and Gascoigne fully admitted the wisdom of this measure, and prepared for their departure: indeed, now that Don Rebiera’s resolution had been made known to our hero, he cared more for obtaining his father’s consent than he did for remaining to enjoy himself at Palermo; and before noon of the next day all was ready, the vessel had been procured, Jack took his leave of Agnes and her mother, and, accompanied by Don Rebiera and Don Philip (for Don Martin was on duty a few miles from Palermo), went down to the beach, and having bid them farewell, embarked with Gascoigne and Mesty on board of the two- masted lateen which had been engaged, and before sunset not a steeple of Palermo was to be seen.

“What are you thinking of, Jack?” said Gascoigne, after our hero had been silent half an hour.

“I have been thinking, Ned, that we are well out of it.”

“So do I,” replied Gascoigne; and here the conversation dropped for a time.

“What are you thinking of now, Jack?” said Gascoigne after a long pause.

“I’ve been thinking that I’ve a good story for the old governor.”

“Very true,” replied Gascoigne; and both were again silent for some time.

“What are you thinking of now, Jack?” said Gascoigne, after another long interval.

“I’ve been thinking that I shall leave the service,” replied Jack.

“I wish you would take me with you,” replied Gascoigne, with a sigh; and again they were both in deep contemplation.

“What are you thinking of now, Jack?” said Gascoigne again.

“Of Agnes,” replied our hero.

“Well, if that’s the case I’ll call you when supper’s ready. In the meantime I’ll go and talk with Mesty.”